Abstract

Mercury has been in use since time immemorial for medicinal, agricultural and industrial purposes. It is widely used in the manufacture of thennometers, fungicides, insecticides, batteries, caustic soda, pulp and paper, urethane plastics and many other purposes. During 1953to 1961,43 people ilied and about 113 were affected with mercury poisoning after consuming mercury contaminated
fish in Minamata, Japan. In 1960, in Sweden, methyl mercury accumulation in fish and decrease in the population of birds was noticed. This was attributed to the use of methyl mercury dicyanide.